A new study has revealed how being cut off from using digital technology is creating additional obstacles for people with criminal histories in Wales, limiting their ability to access vital support services, find employment, and build social connections.
The Swansea University study, published in Health & Justice, examined how 41 people in the justice system access and use digital technology and reveals digital exclusion takes many forms, including:
- Limited access to devices: Some participants reported not owning essential digital technology, such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets, which limits their ability to engage with modern services.
- Data poverty: For those who own devices, many still struggle to access online services and information due to their inability to afford mobile data or Wi-Fi.
- Low digital competency:A lack of basic digital skills stops participants from effectively using technology to not only access services and support but also undertake everyday tasks linked to modern life.
Lead author Dr Gemma Morgan, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy, said: “Our research shows that digital exclusion is not just about lacking devices—it’s about the inability to fully participate in society.
“People in the criminal justice system are being further marginalised by digital barriers, which limits their access to services that could support their well-being and stop them from going on to re-offend.”
The study stresses that both online and offline spaces play a key role in shaping social inclusion and desistance from crime — the process of moving away from criminal behaviour and rebuilding a positive life — with the team making several key recommendations, including:
- Improving digital access:Ensure that people in the criminal justice system have access to affordable and reliable digital technology (e.g., smartphones and tablets) to engage with support services and resources.
- Embedding digital skills training:Offer tailored training programmes to improve digital literacy, enabling people to use technology effectively to aid desistance and social inclusion.
- Recognising digital needs in criminal justice system policy:Incorporate digital access and competency as core components of interventions and policies aimed at reducing reoffending.
Without targeted support, people in the criminal justice system face further marginalisation. Bridging the digital divide is crucial for enhancing outcomes for these individuals, promoting desistance, and fostering long-term social inclusion.
Dr Morgan said: “Digital technology is no longer a luxury—it is essential for navigating modern life. Our findings show that providing access to digital tools and enhancing digital skills must be prioritised in desistance support to prevent people in the criminal justice system from being left behind.”
Read the paper: Understanding the access to and use of digital technology by people in the criminal legal system: empirical findings from Wales